Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Nominate the region’s Most Active Estate Agents for the prestigious East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024

Tess Egginton
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Nominate the region’s Most Active Estate Agents for the prestigious East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024
Property and construction leaders from across the region will descend on Trent Bridge Cricket Ground on Thursday 3rd October for East Midlands Business Link’s Bricks Awards. The prestigious annual event recognises development projects and people in commercial and public building across the East Midlands – from office, industrial and residential schemes, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools. We also showcase the work of architects, agencies and those behind large schemes. With nominations open until Thursday 5th September, and 10 categories available to enter, ensure to take this opportunity to shine a light on your projects and team, reward their hard work, and boost morale. One of this year’s categories is Most Active Estate Agent, sponsored by Roy Geddes Bricks (RGB), which can be entered here. The winner of this category will be the Estate Agents who has had the biggest impact on the commercial property sector over the last 12 months, whether that be in deals done, quality of any given deal, or excellent customer service. Last year the award was won by FHP, with BB&J Commercial and Mather Jamie runners up. Upon winning, Amy Howard, surveyor at FHP, said: “It’s certainly a more difficult market we are facing now so it’s great to continue the activeness in Nottingham, Leicester and East Midlands and continue to push take-up.”

Submit your nominations for Most Active Estate Agent here before entries close on Thursday 5th September.

Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 3rd October, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground (4:30pm – 7:30pm) – an evening also offering an opportunity to establish new connections with property and construction professionals from across the region, and hear from keynote speaker Paul Southby. Other award categories open for entry include: Commercial Development of the Year, Contractor of the Year, Responsible Business of the Year, Residential Development of the Year, Developer of the Year, Deal of the Year, Architects of the Year, Excellence in Design, and Sustainable Development of the Year. All entry forms can be accessed here. The Overall Winner award will also be presented at the event. This award cannot be entered, with the winner selected from those nominated for the event’s other awards. The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024 will also receive a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.

Book your tickets now

Tickets can now be booked for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024 – click here to secure yours. The special awards evening and networking event will be held on Thursday 3rd October 2024 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground from 4:30pm – 7:30pm.
Connect with local decision makers over nibbles and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region, and hear from keynote speaker Paul Southby, partner at Geldards LLP, chair of the Advisory Board to Nottingham Business School, chair of Broadway independent cinema, trustee of Clean Rivers Trust, chair of Nottingham Partners, board member of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, and former High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire. Dress code is standard business attire. Thanks to our sponsors:      

     
 

To be held at:

MTMS hits the gold standard as it goes beyond the call of duty to support the UK’s armed forces

Tess Egginton
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MTMS hits the gold standard as it goes beyond the call of duty to support the UK’s armed forces
Specialist rail depot maintenance firm MTMS has been recognised for going beyond the call of duty to support the country’s armed forces by being awarded the highest accolade in a national employers’ scheme. The company, based in Moira, Leicestershire, is one of nearly 200 that have been given the gold award in the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme this year. The announcement is the culmination of a years-long initiative at MTMS to support former and serving personnel, as well as supporting local army, sea and air cadets. It specifically targets former service personnel when recruiting and currently gives 15 days’ paid leave for any reservists working at the firm, six days’ paid leave for cadet force adult volunteers and two days’ leave for any spouses of serving personnel. Its group chairman, Malcolm Prentice, has also become a familiar face at local cadet corps, including the local 1211 Squadron RAF Cadets in Swadlincote, to hand over hundreds of pounds a time to support its activities. He has also helped Derbyshire Army Cadet Force and Chesterfield Sea Cadets, as well as the TS Osborne sea cadets, in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, where he has other community commitments. MTMS picked up its silver award three years ago and has made the step up to gold following the recruitment of its strategic lead, Bruce Spencer, who is himself ex-military. Bruce spent most of his working career in the Army, having served with the Worcester and Sherwood Foresters in places such as Iraq, Afghanistan and Bosnia. He joined the Adjutant General’s Corps in the 90s, where one of his roles was that of military attaché in Kathmandu, Nepal. During his time at MTMS he has organised various events and activities related to its work with former and ex-military personnel and says the firm’s receipt of a gold award, which followed having previously earned the silver and bronze awards, was long overdue. He said: “MTMS’s commitment to helping the military community has been gold standard for years, whether that’s employing former military personnel, giving them time for military duties or helping to fund activities for the servicemen and women of the future. “As someone who served with the Army, I understand what a difference that level of commitment makes, especially to someone who has just left the forces and needs to take a job in civilian life, which can feel like very unfamiliar territory. “There are a host of advantages to employing former military personnel and MTMS has benefitted from that over the years, while also actively encouraging other companies to sign up for the covenant and support the armed forces as well.” The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme was launched in 2013 and 1,000 firms across the country have previously joined the ranks of its gold award winners, including Marks & Spencer Plc, Motorola Solutions UK Ltd and Toyota Manufacturing UK. This year’s recipients include construction equipment manufacturers Caterpillar BCP and the East Midlands Ambulance Service, Google and B&Q. Malcolm Prentice, group chairman of MTMS, said: “We’re incredibly proud to achieve our gold award, which means we now stand in line with some of the country’s biggest and best-known companies to ensure our cadets, reservists and veterans are embraced for the future, present and past. “It is a huge endorsement of the work we put in, both at our HQ and out in the community, to support our armed forces, whether they are currently with the forces or used to serve – or will even serve their country in the future. “Whichever of this applies to them, as a British company we feel that it’s important to support them. They’re willing to put themselves in positions we would find unthinkable in order to keep us safe, so it’s only right that we show our gratitude in return.”

Business wins food waste recycling tender with Lincolnshire County Council

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Business wins food waste recycling tender with Lincolnshire County Council
BioteCH4 has secured a new contract with Lincolnshire County Council to recycle food waste from all districts within Lincolnshire. BioteCH4, the Anaerobic Digestion (AD) operator, handled over 600,000 tonnes of food waste in 2023, producing power equivalent to the electricity used by over 30,000 homes for an entire year. When food waste is disposed via Energy from Waste, the energy and nutrient benefits are not fully harnessed. By separately collecting food waste and recycling it through AD, these greenhouse gases are captured and converted into biogas and renewable energy, which is then injected into the national grid and the digestate by-product is recycled to land to help grow more food. Following confirmation that all Councils must provide a weekly food waste collection from March 2026, Lincolnshire County Council has moved quickly, securing an in-county solution with BioteCH4 which will see up to 50,000 tonnes of food waste captured annually from homes and businesses across the county. Starting in Autumn 2025, BioteCH4 will collect the food waste daily from a network of six transfer stations throughout the county for up to 9 years. BioteCH4 will use its experience to collaborate closely with the councils as they implement these food waste collections for the first time, ensuring a smooth rollout of services and maximising the amount of food waste recycled across the county. Pamela Woolcock, Group Public Sector Lead for BioteCH4, said: “Although the Simpler Recycling journey has been long, we are nearing the finish line. We are thrilled to now be partnered with Lincolnshire County Council with a year to work on perfecting the implementation plans before we kick-off in September 2025. “We’re delighted Lincolnshire have taken the step of introducing their food waste collections so soon and we’d urge other local authorities currently looking at their procurement to speak to operators and get the ball rolling as soon as is feasible. We’d welcome any questions, and our sites are open for visits to meet our team of experts.” Chris Yorston, acting head of waste at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Having secured our treatment solution, we can now focus – with our district council partners and BioteCH4 – on designing, procuring, and implementing the other elements of our food waste collection service. We are looking forward to bringing all our knowledge and experience together to bring food waste recycling to households across the county.”

Chesterfield asbestos expert to deliver lecture in Colombia

Stuart Pearcey
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Chesterfield asbestos expert to deliver lecture in Colombia
The United Kingdom Asbestos Training Association is to take the message about the dangers of asbestos to a conference in the Colombian city of Bogotá next week. UKATA Director Adam Harding will deliver a presentation on “Asbestos Identification in the Workplace and in the Home” aimed at raising awareness of the risks associated with asbestos, he will share his knowledge and lessons learnt from the asbestos ban in the UK . The conference will give Colombians the opportunity to learn from other countries on how to implement asbestos awareness campaigns among the general population, after the implementation of the Ana Cecilia Niño Law, named after a campaigner whose work led to the banning of asbestos in the country. Asbestos was banned in the UK in 1999, and the legislation that banned all forms of asbestos in the UK is a model of how comprehensive and enforceable laws are crucial to effectively manage and mitigate asbestos risks. Dealing with the legacy of asbestos, in older buildings requires ongoing awareness and training. The Events & Marketing Manager of Markham Vale-based UKATA Victoria Castelluccio said: “we look forward to contributing to this international event, working with key stakeholders to highlight the dangers of asbestos and continuing our efforts to forge relationships with likeminded organisations worldwide.”

Severn Trent says its waste message is getting through and preventing blockages

Stuart Pearcey
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Severn Trent says its waste message is getting through and preventing blockages
Severn Trent’s community partnerships are reducing the number of drain blockages because of  fats, oils and greases, says the company, which clears about 30,000 blockages from the waste network every year, and each week pulls two and a half tonnes of wet wipes from sewers – the weight of a Range Rover. However, the company says its ‘Be A Binner, Not A Blocker’ message has proved a huge success throughout the last year, including over the summer Olympics in France with 14 million litres of FOG successfully cleared from sewers, saving customers unnecessary and potentially costly issues if it caused problems in homes. The work includes a ground-breaking new partnership with local Gurdwaras across the region, including in Birmingham and the Black Country. The campaign, run in conjunction with Environmental Compliance & Services, Lifecycle Oils, and community group Gurdwara Aid, sees fat-traps installed at the Sikh places of worship to collect the FOG, rather than it going down sinks or drains. Other Food Service Establishments have also signed up for the FOG-trapping scheme, including Nandos restaurants in the East and West Midlands. Grant Mitchell, sewer blockage lead at Severn Trent, said: “With the help of our Be A Binner, Not a Blocker message we have collected some 14m litres of fats, oils and greases  that may otherwise have been poured into out sewers. “That is close to six Olympic sized swimming pools of FOG – putting us in podium position in terms of this campaign!” He added: “Blockages like these are a real menace as they can lead to flooding if not detected and dealt with. Putting the wrong things down the toilet or drain can have a devastating impact on communities and the environment and we know blockages can be a horrible experience for our customers. “We can all play a part in helping keep our sewers free of fats, oils and greases. To do that, it’s vital we put fats, oils and any food in the bin, and remember to only ever flush the 3 Ps down the toilet too – poo, pee and paper.”

University of Leicester uses AI to boost hospitals’ staff retention

Stuart Pearcey
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University of Leicester uses AI to boost hospitals’ staff retention
A team from the University of Leicester is harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to support and retain NHS staff in the city’s hospitals. Anonymised staff data from the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust has been fed into an AI model, which then uses the information to predict where future staffing needs will be required. The model maps how closely colleagues identify with their place of work – the results of which can be used to shape more people-centred human resources policies. This, in turn, should he help slow staff turnover at the Trust and increase the number of people developing successful careers there. The team working on the ‘organisational self-identification’ computer model is led by the University’s work psychology expert, Dr Dennis Pepple, who is an Associate Professor in human resources management. The project team also includes clinicians from UHL and University data scientists. He said: “The NHS staff shortage was been at the front and centre of the recent 2024 General Election. However, simply hiring new staff is insufficient, given the lengthy training pathways and the limited pool of international recruits available to hospitals. “Sustaining or increasing overall staff numbers is impossible without retaining current employees and their valuable skills and experience, making retention critical for a well-functioning NHS and organisations generally.” He added: “Our solutions help significantly reduce staff turnover intention and improve the overall functioning of organisations and, more significantly, are within management’s ability to implement.” “This is a long-term project, which, over time, will provide robust data analysis and insights to support decision-makers as they seek to make Leicester’s Hospitals an even better place to work.” Assistant Chief Nurse Antonella Ghezzi is one of a handful of UHL staff who have met Dr Pepple to find out more about the model. She said: “This is an excellent example of collaborative working practice between institutions in Leicester. We are proud to be able to support this project. Our aim is to use innovative approaches to support the workforce, which in turn will benefit the care we deliver to our population.”

Leadership podcast attracts names with lots to offer

Stuart Pearcey
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Leadership podcast attracts names with lots to offer
Brand and human transformation agency Q Branch Consulting has landed star names for a new podcast offering insights into leadership. Founders Matt Clutterham and Jenny Jarvis have so far welcomed former top Disney executive Ezequiel Abramzon – responsible for bringing Marvel and Star Wars blockbuster films to Spanish-speaking countries – to their new ‘Leading Boldly’ podcast. The podcast guest list also includes Sam Schlimper, formerly head of talent acquisition for Barclays Bank, along with internationally best-selling author Robert Raymond Riopel, creator of the Success Left a Clue book and podcast, who started off at Domino’s as a delivery driver and went from being $150,000 in debt to financially free in just nine months. Jenny said: “We’re really proud of our podcast and the guests we’ve lined up so far. Robert Riopel’s story, for example, is so interesting, and how people can change their thoughts about money and become financially free with just a different mindset.” Upcoming guests include Neil Smith, co-founder of Mettle Men’s Mental Fitness app with famous adventurer Bear Grylls. Jenny said: “Our aim with the Leading Boldly podcast is to create something similar to Stephen Bartlett’s Diary of a CEO – but with more relatable guests. His podcast is brilliant, but it sometimes feels a bit out of reach for people. We want to bring people stories and tales of people who have done what they wanted to do, and are experts in whatever field they are in.”

Dalton Roofing builds string of successes

Stuart Pearcey
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Dalton Roofing builds string of successes
Two apprentices working at Chesterfield’s Dalton Roofing have scored successes in the Skill Build Competition through Leeds College of Building, with Levente Szasz winning and Sam Jinks, finishisg. Both have secured a place at the final which takes place in London this November. Sam also entered the BMI UK and Ireland Apprentice of the Year Competition in Cirencester and received the Highly Commended Award. Elsewhere, Dalton Roofing has been been shortlisted for Family Business of the year 2024 at the East Midlands Business Masters Awards. In addition, the firm is among the finalists for Outstanding Contribution to Workforce Development 2024 in the Sheffield Business Awards. The company has been shortlisted for the East Midlands Chamber Derbyshire Business Awards for Commitment to People Development. By September 2024, Dalton Roofing will have seven apprentices, with three in their second year of their course, and four beginning their apprenticeships this year. Company owner Philip Dalton said: “We are so proud of all our apprentices – each of them has their own story and we’re glad to be playing our part in growing their skills, and growing them as people as we help build their careers. “Here at Dalton Roofing, we understand that the construction sector needs fresh talent to drive our industry forward into the future. Without skilled people, the places we work, live and play in wouldn’t be built – so it’s vital to showcase how great our sector is to work in, and this is reflected by the fantastic achievements of our current apprentices. We’re excited to watch them grow and develop further in the coming months and years.”

Competition and Markets Authority highlights competition concerns in ventilation company deal

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Competition and Markets Authority highlights competition concerns in ventilation company deal

A Phase 2 review by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has provisionally found competition concerns in ventilation company Lindab’s purchase of HAS-Vent, in the local areas around Nottingham and Stoke-on-Trent.

The CMA has been carrying out an in-depth Phase 2 inquiry into the deal after identifying competition concerns during its initial Phase 1 inquiry. The independent CMA group leading the Phase 2 inquiry has probed in more detail the impact of the deal on the supply of circular ducts and fittings in England and Wales. The group has scrutinised a wide range of evidence, including the parties’ internal documents and evidence from installers of ventilation systems and other suppliers of circular ducts and fittings. Based on that evidence, the group provisionally considers that competition for these products occurs at a local level. Having assessed the impact of the deal in various local areas, the group has provisionally found that the deal has resulted, or may be expected to result, in a substantial lessening of competition in the supply of circular ducts and fittings in the local areas centred around Nottingham and Stoke-on-Trent. In these areas the parties are close competitors and face only limited competition from alternative suppliers. This could lead to reduced choice and higher prices in the construction sector, particularly for specialist installers of ventilation systems in those areas. Kirstin Baker, Chair of the independent inquiry group, said: “We’re concerned this would remove one of two main suppliers of circular ventilation ducts and fittings in the Nottingham and Stoke areas, risking installers of these systems paying over the odds and then having to pass these costs onto their own customers.

“Our findings are provisional, and we now welcome responses on our preliminary conclusions and the potential remedies in this case.”

The CMA is welcoming responses to its provisional findings from those interested in the deal by Thursday 12 September. These will be considered by the inquiry group prior to issuing its final report, which is due by Thursday 17 October.

Leicester SPS strikes called off

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Leicester SPS strikes called off

Strikes by Leicester SPS Technologies workers have been called off after an improved offer was secured by Unite, the union.

The nearly 200 workers, who produce specialist nuts, bolts, pins, screws and collars for the aerospace and defence industries, voted to accept the two-year eight per cent pay deal.

The workers will receive five per cent for 2024 and three per cent for 2025, as well improvements to annual leave and time off for medical appointments.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is what trade unionism in action looks like: SPS workers demanded an improved offer, showed they were prepared to strike to achieve it and won a better deal. Yet again, Unite’s laser-like focus on improving jobs, pay and conditions has put money in our members’ pockets.”

The workers were due to begin all out indefinite strike action on 21 August. Following negotiations with Unite and SPS a deal was reached and the dispute settled without industrial action taking place.

Final phase of Derby’s £175m Nightingale Quarter Development gets underway

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Final phase of Derby’s £175m Nightingale Quarter Development gets underway
Wavensmere Homes has commenced construction on the final phase of its £175m Derbyshire Royal Infirmary redevelopment. Located on London Road, Nightingale Quarter’s final apartment block – which has a value of £20m – will deliver over 100 new homes to Derby city centre. The 18.5-acre development incorporates a total of 125 family houses and 800 apartments, together with an extensive range of community amenities. The Florence Nightingale-designed former hospital had lain derelict for a decade prior to Wavensmere Homes’ acquisition and start on site in 2019. The groundworks associated with the final block commenced in April and took four months. Installation of the steel frame begins this week, with the five-storey, red brick building due for completion and occupation in late 2025. Produced off-site, Smethwick-based Hadley Group’s structural panellised system utilises modern methods of construction and will result in less waste needing to be removed from site, whilst also minimising any potential adverse weather delays. The final ‘E6’ block will feature solar PV roof panels, with battery storage, to enable the green energy generated on site to be captured and used to power a proportion of the building’s electricity use. 7kW EV chargers and rapid charge bays will also be incorporated into the new development, enabling future residents of the 79 one-bed and 24 two-bedroom apartments to minimise their carbon footprint. Craig Gee, Construction Director for Wavensmere Homes, said: “The Nightingale Quarter remediation, restoration, and construction programme commenced in late 2019 and within six years, we will have proudly delivered this £175m project in its entirety. With five phases underway simultaneously at the peak of our delivery programme in 2023, this redevelopment has captured national and regional attention, and is already home to over 1,000 new city dwellers. “The stunning Pepperpot restaurant – situated at the heart of the scheme – opened in February, receiving high acclaim from food critics and local residents. It was only a few months ago that Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner enjoyed meeting with Nightingale Quarter residents and the construction team, followed by Sir Tim Smit of the Eden Project’s summer unveiling of the community garden. The conclusion of the groundworks and start of construction for the final block of 103 homes is yet another milestone. “Utilising an element of MMC enhances our eco-credentials and provides more certainty to the 16-month build programme. This new £20m building will create and safeguard around 100 construction jobs and continue to provide a significant boost to Derby’s economy and housing needs. By working alongside stakeholders and residents during this final construction phase, the entire team will be focused on the conclusion of an outstanding new community and delivering a highly sustainable legacy.” The Derbyshire Royal Infirmary opened in 1894 and closed 15 years ago. While the vast majority of the Victorian hospital had been bulldozed, Wavensmere Homes pledged to save and restore the imposing pepperpot buildings, despite one being previously consented for demolition. Pepperpot South opened as the marketing suite for the 925 houses and apartments in 2021. With 95% of the homes now sold, the building has been re-purposed as a gym for residents’ use. The second (North) Pepperpot has become The Fulton Partnership’s sixth hospitality venue in the Midlands. Styled by the interior designer for Gleneagles hotel – to introduce a new concept in luxury dining to the city of Derby – no expense was spared on the Art Deco-inspired furnishings and refined heritage colour pallet. James Dickens, Managing Director of Wavensmere Homes, said: “When we acquired this vacant site five years ago, we set out to design a landmark scheme that embraced the DE1 location and didn’t turn its back on the city centre. “We are proud that our 925 apartments and houses have transformed the city living market, acting as the catalyst for thousands more homes to be delivered within central Derby. “By installing new footpaths, cycle routes, roads, co-working space, a gym – and making a restaurant Nightingale Quarter’s new focal point – this redundant hospital site is once again a vibrant community asset.”

New senior team member appointed at Microlise Group

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New senior team member appointed at Microlise Group
Microlise, a provider of technology solutions, has appointed Mike Blackburn as its new Chief Revenue Officer. With a wealth of experience in SaaS, technology and professional services, Mike is set to lead the sales and marketing teams in driving revenue generation and accelerating growth. Mike’s impressive career is marked by his ability to drive innovation and create substantial value for businesses. With a strong focus on sales scale-up, turnaround and transformation, he has successfully led multiple business growth initiatives and orchestrated two significant private equity exits. His strategic leadership has consistently delivered sustained growth by securing new customers and executing cross-sell and upsell strategies across diverse markets. In his new role, Mike will be responsible for overseeing all revenue-related activities, ensuring alignment between sales and marketing teams to identify long-term sales opportunities, while maximising profitability. By leveraging his expertise in sales strategy and commercial operations, Mike will work to enhance the company’s sales performance and drive growth in key markets. As Microlise continues to expand its presence in the technology and transport industry, the appointment of Mike Blackburn signals a new chapter of growth for the business. With his strategic insight, he is poised to lead the company to new levels of revenue generation and market expansion. Nadeem Raza, CEO at Microlise, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Mike to the Microlise family as our new Chief Revenue Officer. His extensive experience and proven leadership abilities make him the ideal candidate to drive revenue growth and advance our sales and marketing initiatives. “Known for his collaborative approach and unwavering focus on results, Mike is a welcomed and valuable addition to the team.” Mike Blackburn, CRO at Microlise, said: “I am excited to join the Microlise team during such an exciting period of growth. I look forward to using my strategic vision and passion for innovation to help the business reach even more new heights of success.”

New support programme to give Derby social entrepreneurs a head start

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New support programme to give Derby social entrepreneurs a head start
Local social entrepreneurs can now get a helping hand to turn their ideas into reality from Derby’s first Social Entrepreneurs in Residence. Keith Jeffrey, former Chief Executive of QUAD, Derby’s centre for arts and film, and Paul Squires, an experienced leadership consultant, have been appointed to provide expert advice, guidance and connections to nurture local businesses that combine profit with purpose. In collaboration with Derby City Council and local partners, the newly-appointed Social Entrepreneurs in Residence have established a pilot programme – Derby Social Ventures – to provide direct support to the city’s social entrepreneurs. Social enterprises are businesses that aim to make a positive impact on society or the environment while also making a profit. While sharing some challenges with traditional businesses, social entrepreneurs can encounter specific obstacles, such as limited access to funding. Funded by Derby City Council, the pilot programme aims to create a thriving social enterprise ecosystem where social entrepreneurs can develop the skills and knowledge they need to flourish and connect with other people working on similar projects. Working in partnership with the University of Derby and East Midlands Chamber, the programme will also gather information to help shape future support for social enterprises. Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council and Portfolio Holder for City Centre, Regeneration, Culture and Tourism, said: “Social enterprises are a wonderful example of businesses operating as a force for good. They not only create jobs and boost our local economy, but also tackle pressing social issues head-on. “We believe that social enterprises have the power to transform lives and communities. This scheme goes some way to fulfil our manifesto promise to support new businesses, co-operatives and social enterprises to take up space in our city.” Keith Jeffrey of Derby Social Ventures said: “While there are other initiatives supporting social entrepreneurs across the country, we believe this is the first time a city has appointed Social Entrepreneurs in Residence to specifically focus on providing direct support to social enterprise.” Paul Squires added: “With our extensive experience of the sector, we understand the motivation and the unique challenges for social entrepreneurs. Our goal is to offer a range of activities and support to people starting up or already running businesses which make a social impact.” The pilot runs until 31 December 2024.

Building materials firm pledges to be ‘nature positive’ by 2030

Stuart Pearcey
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Building materials firm pledges to be ‘nature positive’ by 2030
Aggregate Industries has committed to be ‘nature positive’ by 20230. Announcing the launch of the company’s first company-wide nature strategy Anna Baker, the company’s Sustainability Director, said: “It’s been widely documented that we are currently in a nature crisis. As our primary business model relies on the extraction of natural resources, we know that we need to play our part in contributing to a nature positive future which is why I am so pleased to launch our Nature Strategy. “It provides clear commitments to ensure we reduce future negative impacts, restore nature and habitats and advocate for nature throughout our entire value chain. “We recognise that during this time we’ll be learning, growing and sharing our experiences to deliver the nature based solutions needed to become Nature Positive by 2030.” The company acknowledges that the nature and climate crises are intrinsically linked, and nature-based solutions will play a vital role in reducing the impact of climate change. By launching its nature strategy the company looks to accelerate action and build upon a strong foundation, which includes investing £24m in restoration activity over the last five years. Other fundamental drivers for the framework set out in the nature strategy include adopting the Science Based Target Network’s Framework for Nature, which outlines how we interact with nature, and, the Global Goal for Nature, which sets out how organisations can contribute towards nature positivity by 2030 in order to help biodiversity to recover and thrive. Aggregate Industries intends to measure the biodiversity value of all of its active aggregates sites  by surveying habitats and species and then set out on a journey to reduce future negative impacts, restore nature and habitats and advocate nature positivity. On top of this, it will ensure that it has biodiversity plans at all of its active UK quarry sites, have dedicated places for nature across all 200 of its sites and further roll out of a woodland programme building on the 105,000 trees already planted at its Glensanda super quarry in western Scotland as part of a new 64-hectare woodland. Among other key actions the company plans to undertake by 2026 are:
  • Increase use of Construction Demolition Materials to three million tonnes per year
  • Reduce freshwater withdrawal intensity in the production of cement (by 30%) and readymix concrete (by 3.9%)
  • Establish Biodiversity Indicator Reporting System (BIRS) and biodiversity baseline roadmap
  • Creation of a new AIUK Wildlife Fund
  • Produce a heatmap to understand the suppliers that have the greatest potential nature impact
  • Undertake nature impact assessments on the procurement of five high nature impact products.

Derbyshire County Council and Derby City Council reach agreement in Sinfin Waste Treatment Facility dispute

Tess Egginton
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Derbyshire County Council and Derby City Council reach agreement in Sinfin Waste Treatment Facility dispute
Derbyshire County Council and Derby City Council have announced a resolution to the dispute over plans for the Sinfin New Waste Treatment Facility. Following a period of “constructive dialogue,” the councils have addressed the key issues that led to the dispute. Agreement on the terms of a new Inter Authority Agreement has been reached in full – which means both organisations can move forward in partnership with the confidence and certainty required to successfully complete the project. Both councils remain committed to the original decision, made in February 2023, to progress option one: fix and operate the existing plant and have completed soft market testing throughout 2023 with positive engagement from the waste industry which confirmed there was capability, capacity and appetite in the market to deliver the project. The councils will now move forward with the procurement exercise to rectify defects at the facility and bring it into use. A spokesperson for Derbyshire County Council and Derby City Council said: “We’re pleased to confirm that the dispute has been fully resolved and both councils have reaffirmed their commitment to working in partnership to get the waste treatment centre at Sinfin operational. “This is in line with the decisions to fix and operate the facility which were taken by Cabinet Members at both councils at their respective meetings in February 2023. “We look forward with confidence to moving the project forward to provide both councils with the most viable and cost-effective, long-term solution for the management of household waste, to benefit residents in both the city and county.”

City Council selects Scope Construction to create £1.8m children’s home

Stuart Pearcey
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City Council selects Scope Construction to create £1.8m children’s home
Leicester City Council has appointed Loughborough-based Scope Construction as development partner to create a £1.8m children’s home in the city. Maz Patel, the company’s MD, said: “It is great to be breaking ground on this latest project. Scope and our local supply chain take pride in the work we do and we aim to deliver a first-class project for the client and the local community. We look forward to continuing our strong working relationship with the council.” Located in the west of the city, it will be the first children’s home to be built in Leicester for more than 40 years. The home will provide purpose-built accommodation for six young people, between the ages of eight and 17, offering five bedrooms with ensuite facilities as well as two semi-independent living flats, a kitchen, lounge, games room and sleeping quarters for staff. The build is the latest phase of work by the city council to expand its in-house provision of places for children and young people who can’t live with their birth families. Work was recently completed to convert two council-owned houses in the south of the city into a children’s home, providing residential care for five young people. The two projects mean the city council will be able to care for more children and young people in-house, increasing the number of council children’s homes from six to eight, caring for up to 48 children and young people. Deputy city mayor for social care, Cllr Sarah Russell, said: “We are determined to provide the best possible care for the children and young people we look after. Most children who can’t live with their birth families live with foster carers, but this isn’t right for everyone, and increasing demand for children’s social care services in recent years means there has been a significant rise in demand for residential children’s homes. This is the case across the country. “Providing more children’s homes within the city means children and young people can continue to receive support within their communities rather than them moving away from Leicester. This continuity and stability can be very important to children experiencing major disruption to their lives. “There are also long-term financial advantages to providing more places ourselves.” The new home will feature a range of energy efficiency measures including roof-mounted photo-voltaic panels, and air source heat pumps. It will also serve as a hub for training for social care staff, foster carers and other professionals. Construction is expected to take about a year to complete, with the new children’s home likely to open in late 2025.

Phenna Group makes 8th acquisition of 2024

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Phenna Group makes 8th acquisition of 2024
Nottingham-headquartered Phenna Group, which invests in and partners with selected niche, independent Testing, Inspection, Certification and Compliance (TICC) companies that serve a variety of sectors, has made its 8th acquisition in 2024. Established in 2013, ECAS is headquartered in Birmingham and is an industry leader in environmental compliance. It provides compliance services for utility and commercial clients that help protect the environment by driving positive, sustainable, and long-lasting change in communities nationwide. This includes an award-winning programme that ensures food service establishments dispose of fats, oils, and grease responsibly and sustainably, in line with The Water Industry Act 1991. Philip Soden, CEO of ECAS, said: “We’re thrilled that the Phenna Group has recognised our hard work, success, and potential. From our first engagement with the Phenna Group team, we felt confident that we’d found the right partner to support our future growth. I look forward to working with Mike and his team to fast-track our ambitious plans.” Mike Andrews, Divisional MD, Compliance and Certification at Phenna Group, said: “I am very pleased to welcome Philip and his team to Phenna Group. He has built a very successful business over the last decade with an excellent reputation for customer service and technical capability. I am excited to see the ECAS team deliver on their exciting growth plans.” Phil Marshall, CEO of Phenna Group, added: “I’m excited to have ECAS join our Group. ECAS is a market leader in the environmental compliance space and this acquisition expands our current service offering within the Compliance and Certification division. I look forward to seeing Philip and his team excel within Phenna.” Phenna Group were advised by RSM and Hill Dickinson LLP. ECAS were advised by Keyston Law and Evans Mockler.

The region’s Residential Development of the Year to be revealed at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024

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The region’s Residential Development of the Year to be revealed at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024
With the nomination deadline nearing for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024, shining a light on the region’s property and construction industry, there are 10 categories open for entry, offering a prime opportunity to showcase outstanding businesses, teams and projects at the prestigious event. One such category is Residential Development of the Year, which can be entered here. The winner of this category will be the scheme that has displayed a true commitment to providing much-needed housing in the East Midlands. There is no size limit, but schemes must have been completed over the last 12 months. Last year the award was won by Lincoln’s St Marks student accommodation (Phoenix Brickwork UK Ltd), with Elms Phase Two Ltd (Elms Developments) and The Condor, Derby (St James Securities and Grainger) runners up. Upon winning, Jamie Duerden, Brickwork Managing Director at Phoenix Brickwork UK Ltd, said: “I am overwhelmed with gratitude that Phoenix have been chosen to win this award. St Marks was a fantastic project and a huge accomplishment for our team being our largest masonry scheme to date. A big thank you to Bowmer and Kirkland Ltd for trusting us to deliver this prestigious project and a special thank you to our Phoenix team for all their efforts!” A further statement from the business added: “This project holds a special place for Phoenix as one of our highest-valued and most spectacular builds. The impressive scheme of 10 blocks has provided homes for 1372 students at The University of Lincoln. A big thanks to East Midlands Business Link for recognising our project within these awards.” Submit your nominations for Residential Development of the Year here before entries close on Thursday 5th September. Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 3rd October, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground (4:30pm – 7:30pm) – an evening also offering an opportunity to establish new connections with property and construction professionals from across the region, and hear from keynote speaker Paul Southby. Other award categories open for entry include: Most Active Estate Agent, Commercial Development of the Year, Responsible Business of the Year, Contractor of the Year, Developer of the Year, Deal of the Year, Architects of the Year, Excellence in Design, and Sustainable Development of the Year. All entry forms can be accessed here. The Overall Winner award will also be presented at the event. This award cannot be entered, with the winner selected from those nominated for the event’s other awards. The Overall Winner of the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024 will also receive a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.

Book your tickets now

Tickets can now be booked for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2024 – click here to secure yours. The special awards evening and networking event will be held on Thursday 3rd October 2024 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground from 4:30pm – 7:30pm.
Connect with local decision makers over nibbles and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region, and hear from keynote speaker Paul Southby, partner at Geldards LLP, chair of the Advisory Board to Nottingham Business School, chair of Broadway independent cinema, trustee of Clean Rivers Trust, chair of Nottingham Partners, board member of Marketing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, and former High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire. Dress code is standard business attire. Thanks to our sponsors:      

     
 

To be held at:

Ideagen strengthens commitment to Nottingham Rugby Club

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Ideagen strengthens commitment to Nottingham Rugby Club
Nottingham-headquartered software company Ideagen has announced an expanded three-year partnership with Nottingham Rugby Club, becoming the primary sponsor of the championship team. Under this new agreement, Ideagen will be the front-of-shirt sponsor for both home and away kits and the main sponsor at The Bay, the home ground of the club. The new kit gets its first run out against Leicester Tigers at Welford Road next Friday. Ben Dorks, Ideagen CEO and regular at The Bay, said: “We’re delighted to be strengthening our ties with Nottingham Rugby Club. “Community, ambition and adventure are our company values, and our relationship with Nottingham Rugby is a great example of bringing this to life. Ideagen colleagues have loved supporting the team from the sidelines on matchdays and we’ve been able to work with the club to grow our education programme, showcasing the connection between sport and technology and the importance of teamwork and respect. “We’re proud to support the team through this expanded sponsorship and look forward to many more successful seasons together.” Nottingham Rugby Chairman, Alistair Bow, added: “Nottingham Rugby are delighted to be working with Ideagen, an organisation that shares our passion for the city. There are exciting times ahead for the club and Championship Rugby as a whole and Ideagen will play a key part in supporting us on our journey. “We are proud to be partnering with them and look forward to the impact we can make both on and off the pitch with the local community.” Ideagen’s relationship with Nottingham Rugby also extends beyond sponsorship. Will Yarnell, Commercial Compliance Manager at Ideagen, plays as the squad’s scrum-half and has recently re-signed for the 2024/25 season. Will said: “It’s fantastic to see the business continue to support the club with this sponsorship. Both Ideagen and Nottingham Rugby serve as key pillars of the local community, and it’s great to see home-grown organisations supporting one another. “Many of my Ideagen colleagues have already enjoyed visiting The Bay to watch some amazing rugby in action. I hope that even more will have the chance to experience it in the future.” Ideagen, who are also shirt-sleeve sponsors of Premier League football club Nottingham Forest, have their global headquarters based in Ruddington. They have been a significant supporter of Nottingham Rugby Club since 2022. Initially partnering as a premium sponsor, the Ideagen logo has featured on the team’s shirts for the last two seasons.

Architects’ drawings revealed for £6.2m Stapleford ‘Pencil Works’

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Architects’ drawings revealed for £6.2m Stapleford ‘Pencil Works’
New artwork has been shared that shows what a brand-new retail, office and makers’ centre on Victoria Street in Stapleford could look like.
  The £6.2m building, called the Pencil Works, is funded through the Stapleford Towns Fund. It has been designed to offer high-quality facilities to support the town aims of becoming a great place to visit, work and do business. Stapleford was awarded £21.1m from the Government to generate improvements across the town. The building is projected to create 50 jobs and 1,000 square metres of new retail, leisure and office space. Plans include a creative makers’ space for specialist craftspeople and artists, three retail units for food/drinks outlets, public toilets, and disabled parking and bicycle storage on the ground floor, and flexible office space for small businesses on the first floor. Subject to planning permission, work would get underway in winter with completion in late 2025. The architect’s visualisations are subject to change as plans develop over the coming months in partnership with local people. A formal public consultation on the plans will take place in October 2024, including a drop-in event for local people to meet the team and ask questions. Paul Sweeney, Director, Robert Ellis Estate Agents, said: “The Pencil Works will become an iconic landmark building in the centre of the town. “It will deliver a much needed 21st century commercial space for a variety of businesses which will provide a synergy to the existing commercial enterprises in the town, increasing business to business activity, and becoming a destination that attracts people from the local community and further afield who will spend time and money in Stapleford. “The creative space will be something not seen before in Broxtowe. It will provide artisans an outlet to work and collaborate with others. The front lends itself to businesses to provide an outdoor cafe/bistro vibe and will flow into Walter Parker VC Memorial Square, providing a more usable outdoor space for markets and events.” Ian Jowett, Chair of Stapleford Towns Fund, said: “The Towns Fund is all about helping our town get back on track and this is one of our largest projects that aims to support local businesses, artists and creators, and create jobs. “Though this investment we can offer the very best facilities and something different to other towns. We want to give people a reason to come to Stapleford for work, leisure and pleasure, as we know this will really help to boost our local economy.” The inspiration for the name has been taken from Stapleford’s historic F. Chambers & Company Limited Pencil Works factory which resided on Broad Oak Drive from 1915 until 1973. The company was the first to manufacture cosmetic pencils for Boots in 1931. While they sold their business in the 1990s, the Chambers’ family still produce pencils in Stapleford.
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